The Alpha's Guardian

"I would be honored to help you in any way you need help, Wade." Alpha Nick says. "But perhaps we should see what it all entails and if you are the one they are picking before we get ahead of ourselves?"

"Agreed. I just wanted you to be aware of the fact that I will be using you as a stipulation for me to accept any position."

I glance over my shoulder at the clock and balk at the time. The committee is going to be here in 2 hours. I haven't had a chance to shower and Wade is still standing very proudly in his t-shirt and scrub pants. I clear my throat to get his attention and nod in the direction of the clock. "Alpha Nick, do you perhaps have a room where we can prepare for the committee meeting?" I ask.

He smiles kindly at me and nods.

"Of course. I have a room for you and Wade. I haven't had the chance to pull clothing for you yet, but if you give me 20 minutes we will come up with something."

"That would be amazing."

"Amy" Alpha Nick calls out.

A small woman in her mid to late twenties pops her head in.

"Yes, Nicholas?" She asks. He waves her in and she shyly walks over to him.

"Hey, Amy." Wade greets her.

"Oh Wade, how are you?" she asks just now noticing him, her eyes growing wide with worry.

I pique my brow at her informal greeting to my mate. I can sense Wade enjoying my slight jealousy at her knowing him well enough to drop his title.

"I am good, How are you holding up?" he asks, looking at her concerned.

"I'm," her voice breaks "I'm ok."

My agitation grows the longer the conversation goes on. Both Nick and Wade seem to not notice that I have no idea who this woman is and neither make the move to introduce me. Stepping forward I extend my hand in a friendly manner.

"Hi, Amy. My name is Ali" I smile as genuinely as I can.

"Ah yes, My Nicholas has mentioned you." she clasps her small hand in mine and returns my smile. "I am Nicholas' mate."

My jealousy instantly melts away. I look Amy over and notice how plain she is in a natural beauty way. She wears no makeup and a genuinely sweet expression. Everything about her screams honesty and innocence. I have a distinct feeling that we will become very good friends. And I have to admit that I am beyond excited to have a female friend closer to my age.

"You have a wonderful mate," I say honestly. She beams as she looks over at Nick.

"Ali is my mate," Wade says proudly, extending his hand out to me. I take it and she pulls me closer to him, melting me with a smile that could rival the sun's brightness.

"Oh I am so glad you finally found your mate," Amy says growing excited.

"I hate to cut this short sweetheart, but could you show them where their room is?" Nick asks, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. She turns pink and nods.

"Of course. You two come with me." She motions for us to follow her.

We follow Amy up the stairs to the third floor. We pad along behind her in silence just taking in the antique house. I run my hand along the rich navy textured wallpaper looking in awe at the ornate sconces on the wall that light the small hallway. Everything looks regal and perfect and the opposite of what I would have thought Alpha Nick would ever have in his home.

"We were supposed to remodel all this when we moved in," Amy says, catching me as I reach out and touch an old oil painting. I pull my hand back quickly.

"How long ago did you move in?" I ask her, looking up to the high beveled ceiling.

"Gosh eight or nine years"

"Has it really been that long?" Wade asks.

"Yeah, I left when Kane was sixteen," she says her voice trailing off at the mention of Kane.

"Well, here we are!" She says, sounding overly cheerful. "Towels are already in the bathroom and I assume you will need some clothes so I will go make sure you have something clean to change into." Amy ambles off before we have the chance to thank her. "So Kane and Amy?" I ask as we enter the room.

"Kane and Amy are...well were. Cousins. He was her only remaining family member and she lived with them until she moved here with Nick." Wade answers.

I can hear the reservation in his tone, his desire to not talk about his friend who he lost. And I oblige as I look around the room we are staying in. Me and Wade. Alone. In a beautifully antique room with a four-post bed and floral linens. All alone with our mate bond in full effect. I swallow hard at the thought and possibilities of what could all happen. Suddenly I'm lightheaded and stumble as I walk. My damn legs feel like noodles.

Wade catches me and his eyes search me in concern. The sparks throw me into a fit of desire and panic takes over. I've saved myself for my mate. For the man, I was destined to be with and hoped I would love. And now, I have that, him and the bond and the love and everything feels so overwhelming.

"Ali. Breathe." Wade says chuckling.

My eyes snap to him in a fury. He is laughing at me. I gulp in a breath.

"Ali. You are having a panic attack."

"Wade. I can't. I'm not ready..." I step back away from him, putting my hands up to stop him from coming to me.?"It's not that I don't want to. I do. On all things blessed I want to mate with you. But I'm not...I'm just. l-l-I"

Wade laughs and I just stare at him dumbfounded. He laughs harder. My agitation grows as his laughter seems to never cease. In a fit of anger, I grab a pillow and throw it at his face. It hits him in his stupid mouth and he plops down on the edge of the bed. "Ali, I'm sorry," he says, seeing my murderous face.

"It's not funny!"

"Ok. Look. We have slept in the same room before, right?" he says, trying to calm me.

I guess he isn't wrong on that so I nod, feeling stupid.

"I expect nothing from you. We already completed our mate bond, and we can seal that bond when you are ready. I am in no hurry, we will go at your pace."

"I just...I have always imagined it..."

"The mating ceremony?" he says, understanding.

I nod feeling vulnerable and embarrassed.

"Oh, my sweet bada-ss warrior," Wade says, patting the spot on the bed next to him. "We will have our mating ceremony. And if you want to wait until after then we will wait," he assures me.

I try to find his anger, looking deep into his eyes and analyzing his facial expression but all I see is sincerity and love. I know it seems stupid, in a world where we are partially run by our animalistic instincts and the drive to mate. But I can't help but remember planning my ceremony with my mom as a little girl. The laughter and the joy of the process and the excitement of the union we are pledging to. I sigh heavily and succumb to Wade's sweet talk, ambling over and taking a seat next to him.

"My mom and I used to pretend to plan my mating ceremony," I say looking at my hands, feeling so small.

"Then you and I will plan the real thing exactly how you planned it with your mom," he says shrugging. "Ali, I don't think you understand. We are equals in this, I'm not some macho Alpha wolf who is going to demand you bed me because we are mates. If you want to wait then we wait. It's as simple as that."

"I know it's stupid," I mumble.

He turns my chin so he is gazing into my eyes.

"It is far from stupid. What's stupid is you feeling weak for speaking your mind." he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I love you," I whisper.

How can I feel so vulnerable with him yet also so strong? He is my strength when I'm weak. Is this what it is to finally find your other half? To have no real weakness because where you falter they are strong? Because with Wade by my side I feel pretty damn invincible.

"Good. If you didn't I'd have to woo you and that would just get expensive." he jests.

"Oh, and how would you woo me?" I ask, chuckling.

"Well, to start I would draw you a bath... because you smell bad babe." he laughs, moving swiftly to the bathroom, the pillow I lob at him bouncing off the door. he pops his head out quickly.Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.

"I love you too," he smirks devilishly. "I'll start the shower for you."

"You move quick for an injured man," I mutter as he shuts the door once more leaving me alone grinning ear to ear.